Tell Shriners to Stop Funding Cruel Burn Experiments on Animals

For more than 30 years, Shriners International has extensively funded cruel burn experiments conducted by Daniel Traber, David Herndon, Robert Cox, Perenlei Enkhbaatar, and others at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB). In the experiments, dogs, sheep, pigs, and mice are subjected to third-degree burns on as much as 40 percent of their bodies using a scorching-hot metal rod or the open flame of a Bunsen burner. The animals suffer for weeks before they are killed. In some of the tests, experimenters also force animals to inhale smoke in order to injure the lining of their respiratory tract.

With the assistance of a UTMB insider and internal documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, PETA uncovered that UTMB failed to provide pain relief to at least one sheep in Traber's laboratory who had been intentionally burned over 20 percent of her body in one of these cruel experiments. PETA's revelations prompted the U.S. Department of Agriculture to cite and fine UTMB for violations of federal animal welfare regulations.

Please stand up for animals suffering in UTMB's laboratories by urging Shriners International to stop funding burn experiments at the university.

Putting your subject line and letter into your own
words will help draw attention to your e-mail.

Contact

*Required fields

*First Name

*Last Name

*Your E-Mail

Sign me up for PETA E-News and special announcements from PETA.

Message

*Subject

Dear [Decision Maker],

*(Edit Letter Below)

Sincerely, [Your Name]

By submitting this form, you are agreeing to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal info in accordance with our privacy policy as well as to receiving e-mails from us.

Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? Read more.